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Forward of NFL Week 18, our media workforce has dived deep into the numbers to ship key insights for each NFL matchup, highlighting the hidden storylines and standout performances that form every recreation.
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CLE@BAL | CIN@PIT | BUF@NE | NYG@PHI | CAR@ATL | NO@TB | CHI@GB JAX@IND | HOU@TEN | WAS@DAL | SF@ARI | SEA@LAR | MIA@NYJ LAC@LV | KC@DEN | MIN@DET
Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
The Browns’ protection proved to be one of many few models able to disrupting the Ravens’ passing recreation this season. Of their Week 8 matchup, Lamar Jackson accomplished simply 61% of his passes — his second-lowest mark of the yr — and had a season-high 5 passes damaged up.
Including to the struggles, Ravens pass-catchers dropped three passes within the recreation, which continues to be a season-high. Cleveland defenders have been tenacious on the catch level all season, with their 20% contested goal price in protection the third-highest within the league.
Jerry Jeudy’s 2024 season has been a breakout marketing campaign, as he’s set profession highs with 84 receptions and 1,166 receiving yards, marking his first 1,000-yard season. A significant component in Jeudy’s success has been his prowess as a vertical menace, as he ranks second amongst all pass-catchers with 40 receptions and 859 yards on throws of 10 or extra yards downfield. Early within the season, defending these performs was a evident weak spot for the Ravens, who allowed a league-high 77 downfield catches from Weeks 1-10 — 14 greater than every other workforce.
Nevertheless, changes within the secondary have drastically improved their efficiency, limiting opponents to only 29 such completions since Week 11, tied for the eighth-fewest within the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
In a must-win recreation to maintain their playoff hopes alive, the Bengals will seemingly depend on Joe Burrow’s arm to guide the cost. Of their Week 13 matchup towards the Steelers, Burrow was almost flawless when focusing on receivers contained in the numbers, finishing 19 of his 21 passes for 209 yards, three touchdowns and one interception that got here off a tipped cross. For the season, Burrow’s 2,430 passing yards and 21 touchdowns on such throws path solely Jared Goff. One participant Burrow may goal is Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, who has allowed 587 receiving yards on targets contained in the numbers—greater than every other defender this season.
On the opposite aspect, Russell Wilson additionally shined of their earlier assembly, notably within the fast passing recreation. On throws made inside 2.5 seconds, Wilson accomplished 19-of-22 passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns and an interception that occurred when George Pickens slipped on his route. Whereas the Bengals allowed Wilson a 130.1 passer ranking on fast throws in that contest, they’ve in any other case been dominant on this space, giving up simply an 86.3 passer ranking on fast makes an attempt in all different video games — a mark that might rank second-best within the league.
Buffalo Payments @ New England Patriots
With the No. 2 seed locked in, the Payments might use Week 18 to provide youthful gamers extra alternatives. One standout to observe is rookie operating again Ray Davis, who has been an efficient complement to James Prepare dinner within the backfield. Davis’ 378 speeding yards rank fourth amongst rookie operating backs, whereas his 22 rush first downs and touchdowns path solely Bucky Irving and Tyrone Tracy.
On the quarterback entrance, Jayden Daniels holds the PFF-era document for many scramble yards by a rookie QB with 579. Drake Maye, presently fifth with 407 scramble yards, has introduced he’ll play this week and has an opportunity to climb the leaderboard. With a powerful efficiency, Maye may surpass Robert Griffin III (411), Vince Younger (474), and Josh Allen (508) to complete second behind Daniels.
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
Final week, the Giants’ offensive explosion was fueled by a formidable efficiency from their pass-catchers, who set a season-high with 174 yards after the catch. Much more exceptional was their 134 receiving yards after contact, the second-highest mark for a workforce in a single recreation this season.
Malik Nabers performed a pivotal position, recording 103 yards after the catch towards the Colts — the second-most by any broad receiver in a recreation this yr. His 87 receiving yards after contact now stands as one of the best single-game mark for any participant in 2024.
As Saquon Barkley continues his pursuit of the single-season speeding document, the Eagles might look to take advantage of inside zone runs if Barkley is lively within the common season finale. Barkley leads all gamers with 115 inside zone speeding makes an attempt, tallying 623 yards at a formidable 5.4 yards per carry. On the defensive aspect, the Giants have struggled to cease inside zone runs, surrendering a league-high 541 yards and the second-worst common of 5.5 yards per carry.
Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons leaned closely on their run recreation of their Week 6 victory over the Panthers, racking up 198 speeding yards and 12 speeding conversions — each season highs. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier showcased their dominance, with every logging a minimum of 15 carries and 90 speeding yards. As one of many NFL’s most effective speeding duos, the Falcons be part of the Lions as the one groups with two operating backs with over 100 carries and common a minimum of 4.5 yards per try. Carolina’s struggles towards the run have been evident, as they’ve given up a league-worst 5.1 yards per carry, whereas their 157 whole speeding conversions surrendered are essentially the most by any protection within the PFF period.
Bryce Younger’s enchancment within the second half of the season supplies optimism for the Panthers heading into 2025, notably together with his composure beneath stress. Since Week 8, Younger has confronted the fourth-most pressured dropbacks however ranks second amongst qualifying quarterbacks with a 75.0 passing grade and 11 big-time throws beneath stress. His 9 scramble conversions throughout pressured performs additionally rank third-best within the league. Nevertheless, he’ll face a troublesome take a look at towards a Falcons cross rush coming off its finest efficiency of the season in Week 16, the place they recorded season-highs with 17 pressures, 11 fast pressures, and 5 sacks towards the Commanders.
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The accidents to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have considerably hindered the Saints’ broad receiver manufacturing this season. As a bunch, Saints broad receivers rank final within the league with simply 515 yards after the catch and sit twenty ninth total with solely 43 receptions of 15 or extra yards. To deal with the absence of their explosive duo, New Orleans signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling midseason. Since Week 9, Valdes-Scantling has supplied a much-needed deep menace, averaging 25.1 yards per reception — the second-highest amongst broad receivers with a minimum of 10 catches in that span.
Tampa Bay’s floor recreation seems poised for achievement towards a Saints run protection that has been one of many league’s most porous. New Orleans has allowed 1.7 yards earlier than contact per speeding try, rating twenty ninth, and has struggled notably on first down, surrendering 4.9 yards per carry — the third-highest mark within the NFL. Buccaneers rookie Bucky Irving has been electrical this season, main all operating backs with a minimal of 100 carries by averaging a formidable 4.2 yards after contact per rush.
Chicago Bears @ Inexperienced Bay Packers
Caleb Williams has confronted challenges together with his deep passing accuracy. This season, 63.2% of his makes an attempt on throws 20-plus yards downfield have been charted as “uncatchable,” the best price within the NFL and 4.6 proportion factors worse than the following closest quarterback, Drake Maye.
Then again, Packers cross catchers have excelled in contested catch conditions. Their 59.7% contested catch price ranks second within the NFL, trailing solely the Vikings, showcasing their means to win 50-50 battles downfield.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts
Brian Thomas Jr. has been a standout performer in an in any other case underwhelming yr for the Jaguars’ offense. His 1,179 receiving yards lead all rookie broad receivers this season and rank fifth-most within the PFF period. Moreover, his 546 yards after the catch are the fourth-most by a rookie broad receiver within the PFF period.
The Colts offense might look to take advantage of the Jaguars’ vulnerabilities in defending deep passes. Indianapolis has tried a cross of 20-plus yards downfield on 16.5% of performs, the second-highest price within the league behind the Packers. Jacksonville’s protection has struggled on this space, permitting a 47.7% completion proportion on such throws — the second-highest within the NFL, trailing solely the Giants.
Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans
Derek Stingley Jr. has been the definition of a lockdown cornerback for the Texans this season. He’s permitting a league-best 47.0 passer ranking in protection, the bottom amongst all cornerbacks. Moreover, his 13 compelled incompletions are tied for the fourth-most on the place.
The Titans’ offensive line stays a evident space for enchancment heading into the offseason. Tennessee ranks thirty first in run-blocking effectivity and twenty sixth in pass-blocking effectivity. On designed runs, their 0.9 yards earlier than contact per rush rank thirtieth within the league.
Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys
Some of the exceptional features of Jayden Daniels’ rookie marketing campaign has been his means to thrive in clutch moments. Within the fourth quarter and additional time towards the Falcons, Daniels accomplished 7-of-10 passes for 62 yards and a landing whereas including 51 yards on eight speeding makes an attempt.
On the season, his 86.2 passing grade and 12 passing touchdowns within the fourth quarter and additional time path solely Joe Burrow. Nevertheless, he faces a novel problem towards a Cowboys protection that has struggled early in video games, permitting a 106.2 passer ranking by the primary three quarters (third-worst), however has tightened up late, giving up only a 79.4 passer ranking within the fourth quarter and additional time (seventh-best).
For Cowboys operating again Rico Dowdle, Week 12 towards the Commanders marked the start of a dominant stretch. Since then, he ranks top-four amongst operating backs with 120 carries, 605 speeding yards, and 16 runs of 10 or extra yards. Dowdle has additionally excelled after contact, racking up 449 yards, a determine surpassed by solely eight gamers in that span. He’ll look to proceed his robust play towards a Commanders protection that has allowed 5.0 yards per carry to operating backs this season, the second-worst mark within the league, forward of solely the Panthers.
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals
Ricky Pearsall delivered among the best performances of his younger profession, incomes a 78.4 total grade in final week’s recreation towards the Lions. His 3.92 yards per route run ranks because the eighth-highest mark of the season amongst rookie broad receivers with a minimal of 15 passing snaps in a recreation.
Trey McBride lastly discovered the top zone final week, recording his first landing of the season. Recognized for his prowess in contested conditions, McBride has hauled in 66% of contested catch alternatives over the previous two seasons.
Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams
Leonard Williams is prospering in his tenth season and first beneath Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme. His 86.4 PFF grade marks a career-high and ranks fourth amongst all inside defensive linemen this season.
Jared Verse has been excellent in his rookie marketing campaign, showcasing elite pass-rush means. His 19% win price on pass-rush snaps ranks because the second-highest for a rookie since 2006, trailing solely Micah Parsons’ exceptional 22% win price throughout his 2021 rookie season.
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
With Tua Tagovailoa nonetheless recovering from a hip harm, the Dolphins flip to Tyler Huntley to maintain their playoff hopes alive. Huntley impressed in final week’s matchup towards the Browns, incomes an 83.6 PFF passing grade — the best single-game grade by a Dolphins quarterback this season.
Even with out C.J. Mosley, the Jets’ linebacker corps has continued to excel towards the run. The group leads the league in run stops (85) and ranks second in tackles for loss or no acquire (32).
Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas Raiders
The Chargers and Raiders final squared off in Week 1, the place J.Okay. Dobbins stole the present for Los Angeles. Dobbins racked up a season-high 135 speeding yards, with 129 of these approaching runs between the tackles, together with all three of his carries that went for 10 or extra yards. This stays a hassle spot for the Raiders, whose 25 runs of 10-plus yards allowed between the tackles rank because the sixth-highest within the league.
For the Raiders, the emergence of Brock Bowers as a centerpiece of the passing recreation has been a significant brilliant spot. Lining up primarily within the slot or out broad, Bowers has amassed 788 receiving yards — 182 greater than every other tight finish this season. Within the PFF period, solely Kyle Pitts has surpassed that whole as a rookie tight finish. Nevertheless, Bowers faces a troublesome problem towards a Chargers protection that has allowed simply 8.8 yards per reception to tight ends lined up as receivers, the third-best mark within the NFL.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs @ Denver Broncos
Hollywood Brown has been focused on an eye-popping 44% of his routes over the previous two video games. Recognized for his deep-threat means, Brown and Mahomes have but to attach on a cross of 20-plus yards downfield. Nevertheless, together with his present stage of involvement within the offense, it feels inevitable that the 2 will quickly join on a giant play.
For the Broncos, Marvin Mims Jr. has been electrical after the catch over the previous six video games, averaging an unimaginable 14.4 yards after the catch per reception. His 331 yards after the catch since Week 11 rank third amongst all broad receivers, showcasing his means to show brief beneficial properties into explosive performs.
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
For the Vikings to safe an important victory on this matchup, containing Jahmyr Gibbs can be important after his dominant efficiency in Week 7. Gibbs torched Minnesota for 116 speeding yards and two touchdowns, together with 74 yards after contact and eight missed tackles compelled. These figures stay the best single-game totals by any operating again towards the Vikings this season.
On the surface, Lions rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold steps right into a difficult position with Carlton Davis sidelined. Arnold has logged a league-high 351 snaps in man protection this season, a heavy workload that has resulted in six defensive cross interference penalties, second solely to D.J. Reed. His job this week? Slowing down Justin Jefferson, who leads the NFL with 9 defensive cross interference calls drawn and averages 24.5 yards per reception towards man protection. The matchup may play a pivotal position in figuring out the sport’s consequence.
